Collapsible watering can



Sept. 29, 1925. 1,555,467

J. F. GRAHAM COLLAPSIBLE WTERING CAN Filed Aug. 14 1923 H l I INVENTOR i0 Jmes FEmZa/m ATTORNE Patented Sept. 29, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,555,467 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. GRAHAM, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

COLLAPSIBLE WATERING CAN.

Application filed August 14, 1923. Serial No. 657,309.

To (all ii /20m it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible atering Cans, of which the following is a specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to watering cans or containers and particularly to collapsible containers of this class; and the object of the invention is to provide a device of the class specified which is so constructed as to permit of the collapsing or folding thereof into a compact package when not in use; a further object being to construct a container of the class specified of waterproof material, and preferably a waterproofed fabric having more or less body or rigidity whereby when the device is filled or partially filled with water or the like, the same will assume a predetermined shape or form; a further object being to provide a flexible discharge member for said container and with means for holding said discharge mem ber in a vertical position as well as to provide a suitable bail or handle member for the container, and means for attaching a strap member or strap members thereto; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, which is simple in construction, efficient in use and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved container in an extended and operative position.

Fig. 2 is a partialsection on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the complete device in a folded or collapsed position; and,

F 4 is a side and sectional view of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 2 and showing a modification.

In practice, I provide a container 5 in the substantial form of a pail or bucket and which is preferably composed of strong and durable fabric, such for example as canvas treated to render the same waterproof. The container 5 is open at the top and said opening is closed a greater portion of its area by a transverse fabric member 6, which is cut out to form an aperture 7 opening into the container 5. Secured to the top rim portion of the container 5 adjacent to the aperture 7 is a U-shaped member 8, and mounted in connection with the bottom of the container 5 in vertical alinement with the member 8 is a nipple 9 with which a flexible discharge member 10 is coupled, and in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to- 3 inclusive a sprinkling head 11 is mounted in connection with the free end of the discharge member 10. In filling the container 5, the sprinkler head 11 or the neck portion 12 thereof is passed over the U-shaped member 8 and supported in an upright vertical position thereby. A bail or handle member 13 is mounted in connection with the top of the container 5, preferably the opposite sides of the container, and two ring or loop members 1d are secured to one side of the container. A strap member or strap members 15 may also be employed and coupled with the ring or loop members 14: by snap hooks or the like 16.

When the container 5 is not in use or when it is desired to ship or carry the same from place to place, the container proper is folded or rolled into a compact package. and the discharge member 10 is brought into parallel relation with the folded container as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. When it is desired to use the container, the same is extended from its folded position and water or other liquid is inserted thereinto through the aperture 7, in which operation the container is extended to substantially pail or bucket formation, and by reason of the rigidity of the fabric employed, the container 5 will assume a shape substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. In the above named operation, it will be understood that the sprinkler head is mounted in connection with the member 8. The container may now be carried by the bail 13 or strap member 15 or by both if desired to any predetermined point, and the water discharged from the container through the sprinkler head 11 bysimply lowering the same into a position similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

The device above described may be used as a garden sprinkler or for any other purpose, and the top flexible wall 6, serves to prevent the splashing of the water or the discharge of the water by splashing from the container in carrying the same about.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification in which I substitute for the sprinkler head 11 a plain discharge nozzle 17 having laterally projecting arms 1.8 to facilitate its mounting in connection with the member 8, and I have also shown a clamp device 19 mounted on the tubular discharge member 10, whereby the flow of water therethrough may be controlled, the member 19 acting as a valve as will be apparent and if desired, any type of valve or other means for controlling the discharge through the member 10 may be employed.

With the construction shown in Fig. 4, the device may be used as a watering pail or can and a very effective use of this device will be as an automobile accessory, the container being used for collecting and carrying water for the radiator of the vehicle or for other purposes, and by reason of the ability of folding the entire device into a compact package, the same will take up but little room in the tool box or other compartment of a motor vehicle.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described certain details of con struction for carrying my invention into effect and have referred to the specific uses thereof, that my invention is not necessarily limited in these respects, and various changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. A device of the class described compris ing a substantially bucket-shaped container composed of flexible, waterproof material and capable of being rolled into a compact package, and a flexible member substantially circular in form mounted transversely of the top of the container and apertured at one side edge to form an opening for the admission of substance into the container, and the circumferential dimensions of said top member corresponding with the circumferential dimensions of the top portion of the container whereby in the use of the container, the top member will operate to retain the walls of the container in spaced relation.

2. A device of the class described comprising a substantially bucket-shaped container composed of flexible, waterproof material and capable of being rolled into a compact package, and a flexible member substantially circular in form mounted transversely of the top of the container and apertured at one side edge to form an opening for the admission of substance into the container, the circumferential dimensions of said top member corresponding with the circumferential dimensions of the top portion of the container whereby in the use of the container, the top member will operate to retain the walls of the container in spaced relation, and the lower corner portion of the container being provided with a discharge opening.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name this 13th day of August, 1923.

JAMES F. GRAHAM. 

